of two weeks time.

the holidays were nice. they really were.
home for a week and a few days in brewton. surrounded by folks who fill me up, make me laugh and know me most of all. uneventful, refreshing, low-key and just right.

we binged on Domino's daily and put that Mexican Train to work. we laughed, had mama's cookin and a few awesome days of zumba. had an oyster roast hootenanny with our dearest friends. played music, told stories, held a sweet baby and smiled a lot. most days we sat around the kitchen table and talked about things that mattered and things that don't.

on the eve of the eve, we set up a table in the middle of our front porch. layered up, snuggled up in rocking chairs and played board games for hours. we laughed more that day than i have in a while. Collin did everything he could to delay having to leave...because without being said, we all knew that day was a little bit magical. and it doesn't get much better than that.

we don't give or get many presents at all. we decided a few years ago that the things don't matter so much as us all being able to do things together. but the ones that are exchanged mean something, they do.

our sweet dog Dex passed away a week before christmas. he was so sick, pitiful he was.
everyone misses him and tiptoes around talking about it. we are all just...too...sad.

our extended family continued our tradition of forgoing gifts and giving to a cause bigger than ourselves. once again, everyone brought thought provoking and important causes to the table. listening to each person dig deep and dive into a place that is filled with passion and vulnerability is inspiring to see. tears, smiles, interest, sadness, knowledge; all existing simultaneously through a group that spans from 18-80 years of age is nothing less than powerful. i am proud, grateful and inspired.

my goddaughter Campbell was christened the Sunday in between. she looked absolutely precious in her sweet dress handmade from her mama's graduation dress. i wouldn't have missed it for the world. i adore Mary Tyler and Steve and i am completely honored and humbled to be chosen to share and contribute to the life of their sweet baby girl.

back home in nashville we rang in the new year.
dear friends and family filled our home and a bright and sassy 3 year old ruled the roost.
funny how your perception and perspective changes with a little one around. the day is better for every funny and clever thing she says. and it was hard to deny her requests to drag around armfuls of her "stuff" {that she collected throughout the house} and then drop it on command in the middle of the dining room floor to take part in a make-believe party for thirty minutes.

one of my favorite interactions was to watch over and over as Collin had a hard time playing "the daddy" during "party-time or playing house". Now he was her biggest, greatest and most sought after {and suckered into} play companion, but when Domino would grab his hand and say "come on daddy", he'd exasperatedly say "but I'm not your daddy, I'm your uncle". I'd chuckle, gently wink and reply..."it's okay, it's just pretend".

new years eve...late dinner reservations and one of the best meals of my life. 12 friends, family style, dressed in our fanciest, a group conversation that will never be forgotten. enjoying each other for hours. so much so that as our last course came out at 11:17pm we realized we may not make it home for the stroke of midnight. but between a friendly cab driver and an extra tip, we got there at 11:52. perfect. came home to a fire brewing on the front porch, party hats & crowns, blowers, bubbly galore, dancing and cranium til the next morn...a new day. a happy new year.

. . . . . . . .

though i have regretfully neglected many posts over the last month {compounded with minimal inspiration due to my camera that is unfortunately resting in peace :'( }, i must say this simple recap made me graciously content with appreciation; of the simplicity and importance of family, friends, thinking and loving...of staying focused on the goodness of every single day.